Two seasons ago, Cole Sillinger quietly put up the fourth-best rookie season in goals in Columbus Blue Jackets history (tied with Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson). His points effort of 31 was the eighth-best in franchise history. Then it all fell out from underneath him.
From the start of the 2022-23 season and into this season, for a total of 83 games played, Sillinger scored only 3 goals. He looked lost and in over his head at times. His play on the ice had many scratching their heads and wondering if he was heading towards being a bust.